The Vacation: A Red Lace Romance (2 page)

“Hi Gerard,
Jenn.”  She dismissed the reaction to the travel.

There was a pause, and Gerard took a moment to look into
Jenn’s eyes and give her a soft smile. 

‘Is he flirting with me?’
Jenn thought ‘maybe I just have something on my face.’

Simon came back and interrupted Gerard’s glance.

“Let me show you around,” said Simon “that’s the living room over there, feel free to use the computer, there’s no password on it.   The wifi code and password are written on the notepad next to the mouse.  Here’s the kitchen and dining space…”

Simon kept talking but
Jenn was vaguely interested, she was looking at Gerard from the corner of her eye.  He was undeniably attractive, and she was already contemplating if it would be wrong for her to make a move on him considering hers and Simon’s history.  Jenn wasn’t looking for a relationship, but a night of torrid sex was never off the table.

“Any questions?”

“Huh?
oh, uumm… my room.  At the end of the hall right?”

“
yeah, I’ve already put your bags in there.”

“Let’s go get food.” Gerard shouted from the couch. 

Simon turned to Jenn, “Are you hungry? Do you mind going out or do you want to get take out and come back?”

“I’m starving. Give me 5 minutes, let me get freshened up and we’ll go out.”

“Good, it’ll give Gerard time to put some clothes on.”

Gerard replied teasing Simon, “I dress like this for you baby… don’t you like it?”

Jenn washed her face, and reapplied a bit of mascara and liner.  It was too hot out to bother with any foundation or powder, and Jenn had naturally glowing skin that she didn’t need it anyways.   She spritzed a bit of perfume on herself to get rid of the plane smell, and emerged from the bathroom a bit more refreshed.  She shuffled through her luggage for her flip flops and headed for the door.

Simon and Gerard
were already ready and waiting at the door.  Gerard had changed into beige cargo shorts and a white tshirt with leather flip flops.  Jenn’s knees went weak again as her mouth went dry.  She realized this time that it wasn’t the plane, it was Gerard.

It was 8pm but it seemed like dinner had just begun, the street was bustling with people and families trying
to decide where to eat. 

T
hey were seated and shortly thereafter enjoyed an array of spicy Asian dishes some of which Jenn could recognize as Thai, and Indian others she was told was Indonesian and Chinese inspired.  It was hearty meal that Jenn welcomed. 

They ended the night at an outdoor bar across the street, sipping on beer and enjoying the
warm Singapore night.

Simon didn’t say much as usual, he was never great at conversation.
  He seemed a little awkward and fidgety to Jenn as though he had something on his mind.  Jenn amounted it to his trip.  Gerard made up for it though.  He and Jenn really seemed to hit it off. He was the complete opposite of Simon, carefree and such a conversationalist!

“So what are you doing here? It’s the middle of March, kind of an odd time to travel isn’t it?” asked Gerard, he wasn’t harsh about
it; his forward way was masked by his distractingly, handsome face.  Now finishing up her second beer, and charmed by Gerard’s wit and banter, Jenn probably would given him the pin number for her credit card.

“Well, I have six weeks of vacation to use up from last year, and I haven’t taken a proper vacation in about five years so my boss put me on mandatory vacation leave.”

“And they won’t miss you for two weeks?” Asked Gerard with a cheeky grin.

“They should be alright, but if they need my assistant knows to get in touch with me.”

Simon was starting to doze off just before the bartender came around asking if they wanted another round.  Jenn was feeling the alcohol and was still tired from the journey.  They passed on a third round and headed back to the apartment.

“So what do you have planned for yourself while you’re here
Jenn?” Gerard asked.

“Nothing.
All I know is that I want to relax, and enjoy my time, I’m not looking to do anything in particular, I just don’t want to climb mountains or anything.”

Gerard let out a soft chuckle.  “You’ll find plenty to do here then. 
Singapore’s all about luxury and relaxation.”

Simon quipped in
“Gerr, take her out sometime. You know some pretty fun places, I’m sure Jenn would enjoy them.” 

“
Yeah, sure. I know a few places that can help you unwind.”

They got back the apartments; the air conditioning was a welcome relief from the humidity outside.  Simon went straight to bed when they got back.  It was nearly midnight and he had to pack and leave the house before 7
o’clock the next morning.

Gerard sat down on the couch again and turned on a sports station
and pulled out his phone to do something seemingly important.  Jenn went to her room to shower and get changed.

She lingered in the cold shower for a while letting her body completely cool down.  When she finished, she stepped out and patted herself dry.  She put on a pair of
black shorts and a black tank top; she didn’t bother with the bra, and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. Gerard was still on the couch half-heartedly watching the post-game interviews.

“Can’t sleep?”
Jenn walked toward the living room glass in hand. 

Gerard glanced up and glanced again a second time. 
Jenn looked hot in her little shorts and tank top.  Gerard suddenly came to that realization at the second glance. 

“Umm
.. no… (ahem) I don’t usually sleep till late,” Gerard tried not to make it obvious that he was checking her out and trying to figure out if she wasn’t wearing a bra.

“What are you watching?”
Asked Jenn as she sat next to Gerard.

“Nothing, feel free to change it if you like,” and handed her the remote.

Jenn channel surfed.  She could see Gerard squirming in his seat next to her.  She saw him eyeing her legs out of the corner of her eye.

“
Jenn, why didn’t things work out between you and Simon?”

Jenn
was taken aback, she wasn’t expecting such a forward question, but she wasn’t bothered. She too wanted to know what the appropriate decorum was for hitting on an old friend’s-but not really boyfriend’s- flatmate. 

“We’re just different people.  We’re friends, but that’s all we can ever be.  I don’t think I’m what he’s looking for, and he’s not what I’m looking for.”

“Oh, okay.” Gerard had an inquisitive look on his face as though he was trying to figure out how to ask the next question.  “So then, what are you looking for?”

Jenn
let out a giggle.  “Are you asking me my type?”

“Yeah, I guess so.  So what’s you’re type?”

“Well, I like a man that is driven and passionate about his work, funny, sociable, tall, rugged, takes care of himself. “ Jenn was aware that she was describing Gerard, and looked at him flirtatiously while she listed her most desired traits.

Gerard bit his lower lip and the
n the corner of his mouth turned upward in a half smile. He reached forward and put the remote control on the coffee table. He leaned back into the corner of the couch so he could get a good look at Jenn.

Jenn
was sitting facing him half crossed-legged with one leg dangling over the side of the couch.  Her shorts were short so he could feast his eyes on her entire inner thigh, her legs looked soft and smooth.  Her tank top clung to her breasts and showed off her hourglass waist. 

Gerard was curious, “So how do you think Simon would feel if I made a move on you?”

Jenn wasn’t surprised, but she was still taken aback by Gerard’s forwardness; she wasn’t expecting him to hit on her at least until Simon had left. 

“Well, Simon and I didn’t really have any sparks, and it was a long time ago.  We’re friend
s so he really has no reason to get upset by anything.”  Jenn was sure Gerard would make a move.  Though he was coming on a bit strong, his confidence was far from arrogant or sleezy.  He was more suave and smooth and Jenn was ready for him to make his move. 

Jenn’s
response surprised even her.  She was so careful about being guarded, but with Gerard she was almost willing to drop those walls.

“Hmm…
okay,” said Gerard diverting his eyes and nodding his head slowly.

There was a pause.
Jenn expected Gerard’s next move to be a lunge towards her, she was preparing the moment and her response in her mind.  She wanted him to think she was surprised by it, but she wanted to be ready, she wanted her first encounter in over five years to be memorable and passionate.

Gerard took a deep breath, “well, okay… on that note... I’m going to let you get some sleep and wish you goodnight!”
  He stood up and walked to his bedroom.

Jenn
was dumbstruck. ‘That’s it?!’  she thought.  ‘After all those glances, innuendos and flirtatious conversation, that’s all he’s going to say?’  She was a little upset, kind of how a child gets when it’s denied ice cream just after it’s enjoyed its candy.  The blank look on her face revealed her confusion; she couldn’t hide the obvious truth that she was hoping that Gerard would be all over her by now.

She sat on the couch for a minute, trying to figure out what just happened
.  She looked out into the quiet night and the dark water, made peace with the passing of the moment and decided to go to bed.  There was still two weeks to go; he might still make his move.

She went to the kitchen to top up her water.  She turned on the water and waited for a moment as the water got cold
.  Suddenly she felt two hands around her waist and before she knew it she was being spun around.  She was pressed up so close to Gerard that there was no space between their bodies.

“One more
thing,” and he leaned forward and rested his lips on hers. She opened her mouth a little wider and snaked her hands up his chest and around his neck.  His thick lips enveloped hers as he slowly let his tongue slide out and touch hers.  Jenn returned in like, she opened her mouth wider to let his tongue explore hers.  Gerard’s hands moved down her waist over her hips and rested on her two firm cheeks and pulled her in closer to his body and partially lifting her off the ground.

Gerard quickly pulled back. 
“Right, so, goodnight then. Sleep well.”

Jenn’s
eyes were still closed as she smiled.  That truly was a passionate and memorable moment.

Jenn
slept extraordinarily well considering the bit of midnight sugar she indulged in.  She was awoken at 6.30 to the sound of Simon leaving the apartment.  She opened her eyes for second, but still tired, she rolled over and went back to sleep. 

She felt a warm hand make its way up her thigh and grab hold of her waist.

“Shhhh… it’s me,” whispered Gerard so close to her ear she could feel his warm breath, “I couldn’t resist you anymore.”

A broad smile crossed
Jenn’s face.  ‘This was a thing of romance novels, not real life!  This kind of spontaneity never happens.’  Jenn embraced it, letting him play with her.

Gerard used one finger to move the hair away from her neck and proceeded to kiss her from her neck to her earlobes, back down her neck across her shoulders. He felt her warm body from her thighs over her stomach and back down her thighs, and again over her firm cheeks.
 

Gerard kissed his way up to her ear, “I wanted to take you into my arms yesterday.  From the moment I saw you at the door I knew I wanted to feel your body under me and lay my hands all over your silky smooth skin.”

Jenn moaned.  She thought, ‘what an unexpected and overwhelmingly pleasant morning awakening.  This is the kind of thing worth waiting for after five years.’

Gerard took his time. 
Jenn did nothing to reciprocate, but she let her pleasures be known to him through deep breaths and slow exhales.  She kept her eyes closed feeling every last sensation of his touch. 

Still spooning her Gerard too
k her in both arms and pulled her close into his body.  She could feel him firm and long behind her.  Gerard took in a deep breath indulging in the subtly perfumed aroma of her hair.

He finally let his hands wander to her pert breasts.  He massaged them and caressed them, moaning deeply as his tongue
and lips wandered around her shoulders.

He lifted her tank top over her head and turned her onto her back. 
Jenn spread her legs for him so he could lie comfortably between them while he went for the dark centers and sucked on her firm nipples. 

Jenn
ran her finger through his hair and watched as he enjoyed tasting her.  His eyes were closed as though he was in a sensual trance.  His moans became panting breaths of desire as he held himself from ravishing her.